DEL MAR, Calif. (AP)  Triple Crown champion American Pharoah has had his first workout at Del Mar in preparation for his next start in the Haskell Invitational in New Jersey.

The 3-year-old colt ran six furlongs in 1:11.40 under jockey Martin Garcia on Saturday about 90 minutes after a rare thunderstorm passed through the area north of San Diego. It was the fastest of 12 workouts at the distance.

Trainer Bob Baffert says American Pharoah needed the workout and the light rain helped tighten up the dirt track.

American Pharoah is expected to start in the Haskell on Aug. 2 at Monmouth Park. The colt arrived earlier in the week from Santa Anita, Baffert’s home base outside of Los Angeles.